A second chance at prom

On August 9, more than 40 adults got dressed up and went to prom. This was not just any prom. It was a prom that catered to Camden County adults with developmental disabilities.

On August 9, more than 40 adults got dressed up and went to prom. This was not just any prom. It was a prom that catered to Camden County adults with developmental disabilities.

Some attendees were going to the prom for the very first time.

It all started with a Sunrise Beach woman. Jeri Landon is active in lake area Special Olympics and when she found out that almost none of the athletes had ever attended prom, she was shocked. She continued her discussion with People First, a developmental disability advocacy group and again was surprised to hear that most of their clients had never gone to prom either.

Developmental disability is close to Landon's heart. Out of her five adopted children, two have developmental disabilities. Her 24-year-old daughter Angela has autism and lives at home. Angela works for Lake Area Industries and attended her high school prom. Now, she gets to go to prom again thanks to her mother.

"I want it to be like a real prom," Landon said. "I want them to feel magical like a teenager going to their first prom."

The prom was for Camden County residents 18 years old and older with developmental disabilities. The 'Magic in the clouds' themed prom was held at the Community Christian Church in Camdenton. The Lyons Club donated a meal and two professional photographers took photos of the attendees.

Photos provided by All About You Photography and Kody Montesano-Guest.

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